What are the symptoms of urinary tract infection, what is the cause and how to treat it according to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda ?
Mutrakrichha (chronic systitis) as described in ancient Ayurvedic text has very similar symptoms to the modern urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infection is an infection which may affect any parts of the urinary system such as kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. It is most common in women than in men due to the shorter length of their urethra.
SYMPTOMS OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION
The main symtpoms is dysuria or painful urination. Other symtpoms may include :
- Burning urination
- Frequent urination
- Cloudy or dark coloured urine
- Bad smelling urine
- Fever
- Lower belly pain
- Lower back pain
- Rectal pain
CAUSE OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION
Bacteria or less frequently yeast, fungi or viruses may cause urinary tract infection. E.coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria is the most common cause of UTIs. E.coli bacteria typicaly lives in the colon and around the anus. When it gets into the bladder or kidney an infection may occur.
In Ayurveda terms, Mutrakrichha is caused by vitiated Pitta Dosha in the Apana Vata area. The Mutravaha Srotas (urinary channels) are affected by excess pitta and vata which causes difficulty and pain in urination. Bacteria has no chances of surviving in a body that does not provide the right living conditions. In the case of of Mutrakrichha the heat caused by excess pitta dosha and the imbalance of agni cause the bacteria to remain and spread.
Pitta gets imbalance through pitta diet and lifestyle (read more about this here).
Urinary tract infection may happen due to urine retention, reduced water intake and vata aggravating activities such as fast mouvement, hyperactivity, exposure to cold and wind, eating too much dry, raw. light and cold foods.
AYURVEDA TREATMENT TO URINARY TRACT INFECTION
Urinary tract infections can be quickly and easily treated with suitable diet, natural herbal supplements and oils. Here are some general advice and natural herbs to help prevent and manage symptoms of urinary tract infection.
- Pitta reducing diet (avoiding heating foods such as spices, processed or fried foods, alcohol and red meat- more info here)
- Drinking lots of fluids to flush the apana vata area .
- Keeping the area clean and dry
- Respect natural urges of urination
- Coriander seeds
- Triphala choorna
- Cardamom
- Coconut water
- Avipathikara choorna
- Neelyadi Oil
None of those home remedies replace any medication or medical consultation. We recommend you consult a physician or ayurvedic consultant for optimal dosage, posology and method of preparation according to your constitution and medical condition.
Elena Beurdeley
Ayurveda Practitioner & Educator (Nutrition – Lifestyle – Herbal Medicine – Massage Therapies)
BA (Hons), DipPrac(Ayur), DipALN(Ayur), DipAMT(Ayur), Yoga Instructor
